The Best Biking in NYC; Events, Bike Tours, Challenges and More!

Image of a man riding his bright yellow bicycle through the streets of New York City

Slowly but, one hopes, inexorably, New York City is becoming more and more bike-friendly all the time, with more and safer bike lanes, and the hugely popular bike share program Citi Bike which, fingers crossed, will be better managed in its second year. It just makes sense, for the city to encourage bicycles: whether for commuting, for exercise, to run errands and zip around town, or just for fun! Cycling is healthy, it eases subway and bus crowding, and of course, it releases zero greenhouse gases into the air. All of which got us thinking about ways to enjoy bicycling in NYC, and here's what we came up with…   

As seen in this photo, with the warm weather comes flowers and lots of bike riding in NYC

Bike New York Upcoming Events

The first Sunday in May marks the annual Five Boro Bike Tour, co-organized by Bike New York and the NYC Department of Transportation, for which some 32,000 cyclists take to the streets and, during the course of the 42-mile route, hit all five boroughs. Although Standard and VIP registration to the event are sold out (it goes quickly every year), there are still ways in which you can participate. Leading up to the big day, Bike New York hosts the huge Bike Expo 2014 on May 2 and 3 at Basketball City near the South Street Seaport, the largest such consumer event in the country. And if you missed the Five Boro, don't sleep on signing up for September's NYC Century Bike Tour (registration begins April 23!), an all-city affair organized by Transportation Alternatives that you can customize to your personal level of desire and stamina, from 15 miles to the full 100. 

Image of a clear blue sky at the beach with a bike sitting against the fence

NYC Bike Tours, Challenges, and Events

Another great Transportation Alternatives event is happening even sooner: the week-long Bike-to-Work Challenge, a friendly competition among similarly-sized workplaces to see who can get the most employees to commute via bicycle from Monday, May 12 to Friday, May 16… which happens to be Bike to Work DAY with giveaways, parties, and plenty of camaraderie. There are dozens of bike tours happening all the time, such as: 

If you REALLY want to do something cool, check in with the great City Reliquary to see if they're planning their 10th Annual Bike Fetish block party in Williamsburg, which is usually held on the last weekend in May and is a guaranteed good time, with the freakiest bikes you've ever tried to ride. 

Image of two girls riding a crazy bike contraption with two opposite facing seats and large wheels in Central Park

Are you an avid biker? What are some of your favorite bicycle events and happenings in NYC?

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